Dr. King’s words are often employed when there is talk of Christ’s Church and its lack of cultural diversity in worship. It is said as a matter of fact and there is no sense that the persons who employ it also find it appalling. No, it is simply repeated, expressed without a challenge to our poor Christian witness and without a plan to change it. That race and its progeny do much to undue our declarations of the unconditional love and acceptance of God is never mentioned. It seems that it remains for “Christian America” a necessary hypocrisy.

I have heard persons say that it is because we worship differently, that it is because of cultural preferences and understandings of what this looks and sounds like. But, to reduce the reason for the absence of diversity in American churches to worship style is too easy, too simple a conclusion. And it’s an excuse not a reason. The manner in which we celebrate God is not what separates us. God has already told us how we are to worship: “in spirit and in truth” (John 4.24). It is a posture not a particular practice that God desires and this should determine the manner in which we worship– if God is the focus of the Sunday morning service.

But, most often, this is not the case. Our time spent with God is determined by our schedules, our social comforts and sinful, self- serving conclusions. We treat Christ’s Church no differently than our homes, schools and local municipalities. We know the way that persons are to live and who we want to live with us– even in the house of God. How we continue to believe that we are worshipping “in spirit and in truth” while maintaining the racialized desires of our heart in God’s holy temple is a question worthy of discussion.

The truth is that eleven o’clock remains the most segregated hour because we don’t want to change the clock. We are reliving history. But, we would do much to relieve ourselves of its burdens if the Church in America would honestly and adequately address its complicity in the crimes of race (and this request is not one-sided). We must confess the sins of race and seek forgiveness from God and our neighbor. It will remain the most segregated hour so long as we do not see this as a judgment against us, the change as a part of the cost of discipleship and a priority of our faith.

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5 thoughts on “The Most Segregated Hour”

We met last spring during the white house briefing. I agree with your premise that worship style is no more than a excuse. And that 11 o’clock remains mostly segregated is an indictment upon the church. What can pastors and churches do to change this persistent cultural phenomenon? After several years of intentionally seeking diversity in our church community, we have seen only the most moderate success. Any suggestions?

It is good to hear from you and I pray that all is well. To your question, I would suggest that we try and then try again. In my opinion, we have not been persistent in this area because we are not persuaded that it is necessary. We are content with simply waiting until we get to heaven, leaving it up to God to do the work that He requires of us. We don’t take the necessary time to build relationships or healthy communication patterns but enter into God’s sacred space with our expectations has to how the “program” should go. We have to start talking to each other and stop talking about each other. I don’t believe that real dialogue between the cultures is occuring.

I want to talk about it and I want to talk to others about it. I want us to worship together in the here and now.

“The rule for us all is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the greatest secrets. When you are behaving as if you love someone, you will presently come to love him (or her).” ~C.S. Lewis

My name is Joseph R. Dodson. I am a professor, author, speaker and pastor. You might be interested in checking out a couple of my recent blog posts, as it appears you and I are blogging on the same subjects.

If so, check out “Grace Over Race” and “Is the American Church Breaking Bad?” at